Spurs notebook: Neal prepared for his role to change … again

When Manu Ginobili limped to the locker room Sunday with a hamstring strain that will keep him on the sidelines for 10 to 14 days, backup guard Gary Neal knew what to expect.

Plenty of playing time at shooting guard in the second half.

His rapid response — 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting that included a perfect 3 for 3 from long range — minimized the effect of losing Ginobili for what became a 106-88 victory over Minnesota.

As long as Ginobili is out, Neal figures most of his court time will be at the shooting-guard spot, his natural position.

“I’m thinking that,” Neal said. “But who knows?”

The Spurs signed the guard from Towson to a three-year contract after he demonstrated his shooting skill as a member of their Las Vegas Summer League roster in 2010. He became Tony Parker’s primary backup at point guard only after T.J. Ford retired 14 games into the 2011-12 season after suffering a neck injury.

Injuries to Ginobili, Stephen Jackson and Kawhi Leonard have required Neal to swing between the two spots from week to week, sometimes from game to game.

“It’s weird,” Neal said after finishing with 15 points against the Timberwolves. “It’s unique. This is my 40th game, and my role has changed seven or eight times.

“You go out there with the same mindset — to try to be aggressive and try to score, whether it’s as a point guard or a shooting guard. But sometimes the game takes different things. I always try to be as aggressive as I can when I’m on the court, but sometimes it’s different when you’re playing point guard.”

Energizing: The Spurs understand they are going to miss the boost they get when Ginobili enters the game, typically midway through the first quarter.

Backup point guard Patrick Mills hopes his frenetic play can help fill the Ginobili energy gap.

“Oh, yeah, Manu’s energy and his presence when he gets on the court is huge, especially when we play at home,” Mills said. “My role on the team is to bring that same energy defensively and try to give the guys another lift. Hopefully, if they’re flat, try to kick it up to another gear, or else maintain what the starters have done at the start of the game.

“It’s bad that Manu’s going to be out, but if there are opportunities, I have to be ready, just like any other game. With him being out, a lot of guys are going to have to step up, obviously, so we’ll see how it goes and, whether it’s me or someone else, we’re all in it for the good of the team.”